Conservative leadership candidate Kellie Leitch is defending a contentious survey question from her campaign team that asked supporters what they think about vetting would-be immigrants and refugees for "anti-Canadian values."

The survey made headlines on Thursday, with at least one Conservative strategist calling for her to withdraw from the race.

"Canadians can expect to hear more, not less from me, on this topic in the coming months," Leitch wrote in an emailed statement.